Victorian Labor cabinet reshuffle with new ministers ahead of election
Consensus Summary
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan reshuffled her cabinet on April 14, 2026, promoting four Labor MPs—Luba Grigorovitch, Paul Edbrooke, Michaela Settle, and Paul Hamer—to fill vacancies left by the resignations of Mary-Anne Thomas, Danny Pearson, and Gayle Tierney, who will not seek re-election in November. The new ministers will take on portfolios ahead of the May 5 budget and the state election, with Allan assigning roles on April 15. Both sources confirm the promotions were unopposed, though The Age notes a late contest between Hamer and Richardson, while ABC highlights Grigorovitch’s past support for disgraced union leader John Setka and Edbrooke’s 2023 plane crash survival. The reshuffle leaves Allan and Lily D’Ambrosio as the sole remaining members of Daniel Andrews’ original 2014 cabinet.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Four Labor MPs—Luba Grigorovitch (Kororoit), Paul Edbrooke (Frankston), Michaela Settle (Eureka), and Paul Hamer (Box Hill)—were promoted to cabinet on April 14, 2026, unopposed.
- The cabinet reshuffle follows the resignations of Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas, Finance Minister Danny Pearson, and Water Minister Gayle Tierney, who will not recontest the November 2026 state election.
- Premier Jacinta Allan will assign portfolios to the new ministers, with the reshuffle confirmed on April 14, 2026, and the new cabinet sworn in on April 15, 2026.
- Paul Edbrooke was first elected to parliament in 2014, while Michaela Settle and Paul Hamer were elected in 2018, and Luba Grigorovitch entered parliament in 2022.
- The state budget is scheduled for May 5, 2026, with parliamentary budget estimates hearings following in the weeks after.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Paul Hamer emerged as a late contender for the fourth cabinet spot, defeating Mordialloc MP Tim Richardson after a final push for support on April 14, 2026.
- Ingrid Stitt, current Mental Health Minister, is being touted as a possible replacement for the health portfolio.
- Allan and Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio are the only remaining ministers from Daniel Andrews’ original 2014 cabinet.
- Natalie Hutchins had earlier announced her retirement from parliament.
- Luba Grigorovitch previously expressed strong support for disgraced CFMEU head John Setka in 2019, calling him a defender of workers' rights.
- Paul Edbrooke survived a plane crash at Barwon Heads in 2023 and later helped resuscitate a man with breathing difficulties.
- Paul Hamer is Jewish and the son of a Holocaust survivor, and he has served as parliamentary secretary for jobs since December 2024 and acting Speaker since 2023.
- Michaela Settle described herself as a proud single mother of two young men and previously ran a family sheep farm in Ararat.
- Tim Richardson (Mordialloc) initially flagged his intention to nominate for the fifth cabinet spot but did not contest the vote.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Age states Paul Hamer secured enough support to be elevated after a contested vote, while ABC implies the four promotions were unopposed despite Richardson’s earlier interest.
Source Articles
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